Scientific Name
Gasteria batesiana G.D.Rowley
Common Name(s)
Knoppies Gasteria, Knoppies Beestong
Synonym(s)
Gasteria batesiana var. batesiana
Scientific Classification
Family: Asphodelaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Tribe: Aloeae
Genus: Gasteria
Origin
Gasteria batesiana is native to South Africa. It occurs in shallow, humus-rich soil east of the inland escarpment, from north of the Tugela River in northern KwaZulu-Natal to the Olifants River Valley in the Limpopo province.
Description
Gasteria batesiana is a charming small succulent with dark green, highly rough leaves with dense white spots arranged in transverse bands. It can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) tall and 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter, producing offsets from the base to form small clumps. The leaves are distichous at first, becoming rosulate with age. They are firm but brittle, triangular to linear, spreading to recurved, measuring up to 7.2 inches (18 cm) long and 1.6 inches (4 cm) wide at the base.
The flowers are narrow-elliptic and light pink, with the upper half white with green striations. They can grow up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) long and appear on erectly spreading and curved racemose inflorescences in spring but occasionally throughout the year.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
These plants are often grouped with Haworthias because they have similar cultural requirements. Both are attractive, small succulents that can tolerate somewhat more shade than many succulents, making them more suitable as houseplants.
Gasterias are susceptible to fungal infections, which usually appear as black spots on the leaves. These result from too much humidity or water on the leaves, but they should not spread too quickly. They have a natural defense mechanism against such fungal attacks: They attack the invading organism and seal off the wounded spot. Generally, any place where Haworthia and Aloe thrive will be hospitable to a Gasteria.
These succulents are small, shallow-rooted, and relatively slow-growing. Therefore, they are often grown in small clusters in wide, shallow dishes. Over time, clusters will naturally enlarge as the mother plant sends off small plantlets.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Gasteria.
Varieties, Cultivars, and Hybrids
- Gasteria batesiana var. dolomitica
- Gasteria batesiana 'Barberton'
- Gasteria batesiana 'Variegata'
- Gasteria 'Little Warty'
Links
- Back to genus Gasteria
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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